1. Empirically evaluating the mechanism of mindfulness with reference to its origin.

Presenter: Dr. Ken Chow (CU)

This presentation will focus on evaluating the mechanism of mindfulness based on its origin. Different conceptualizations of mindfulness in academic literature will be briefly reviewed and compared to the original conceptualization of mindfulness by Buddha (as a normal human being, not God). Corresponding mindfulness scales are developed and validated with different mental health variables. A simplified model based on this original conceptualization of mindfulness will be presented. It describes the mechanism and pathway from mindfulness to stress reduction and is empirically tested through mediation analysis and structural equation modeling. The relations between mindfulness and God spirituality will also be explored.

2. Studies in mechanism of mindfulness: what do we achieve and what are still missing?

Presenter: Dr. Herman Lo (CityU)

Due to the unique format and target of mindfulness-based intervention in last three decades, studies of mechanism should be considered with these contextual factors. As a practitioner and a researcher for mindfulness, the presenter would like to not only review the findings in this area, but also to identify the limitations and directions for further studies.